Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: Catholic Sunday Homilies

Peace on Earth - Can it Be? (Lk 2:1-14) (1 Ch Mass at Night)

One Christmas a few years back I work up to a song by David Bowie and Bing Crosby; The Little Drummer Boy. In their version, there was a haunting refrain; "Peace on Earth, Can it Be?"  I the Gospel, we hear that the Angels from Heaven declare Peace on Earth at the Birth of Jesus Christ and Lord.  This child is to bring Peace.  Can it Be? Have we experienced World Peace yet? There was a time during WWI when opposing sides made peace on Christmas Day, and at least for awhile, peace on earth seemed possible?  If we are to have peace for the many, it is first required that it be lived boldly by a few.  We may not bring about world peace in our day, but we can with God's help bring peace to our world. It is God's plan. It is our deepest desire. It is a choice. Let us pray that I may bring the light of Christ and Peace of Christ to those in my world. Merry Christmas - Old English for "Christ's Mass". 

Go and Proclaim What You See and Hear! (Mt 11:2-11)

From prison, John the Baptist sends disciples to Jesus to ask "Are you the one to come or should we look for another?"  He seems to be doubting if Jesus is really who he says he is. John is perhaps in despair, in prison.  Do we sometimes feel similarly? Stuck in what feels like prison, wondering if Jesus is really who he says he is. This Gospel, and Homily, remind us that The Kingdom, in all its Power is Here! We do have much cause for Rejoicing! Let us also, share that cause for rejoicing with others, to help them escape from their prison. Fr. Paul "Tells what he has seen and heard." God's miracles are still as present as in the days of the Gospel and Acts of the apostles. Let us open our eyes and hearts to God's presence all around us, and then tell others what we've seen and heard.

The Holy Spirit is Fire? (Mt 3:1-12) (2 AD)

Jesus Baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and Fire. Fire burns and lightens. If we ask the Holy Spirit will enlighten where we need to grow, and if we submit our impure motives and faults to the Fire of the Holy Spirit, they will be burned away, till all that is left is the motive of pure love. We will be transformed into Christ-likeness. This homily talks about our common call to holiness. 

How to Prepare during Advent PSSS (Mt 24:37-44) (1 AD)

Advent begins looking not to the coming of Christ at Christmas, but the coming of Christ at the end of time.  The promise of Jesus' second coming helps us to recognize that NOW is important. How can we better be about the things that really matter? Two years ago, there was a false alarm about incoming missiles to Hawaii, for 38 minutes people thought this was the end. One quote that I heard was 'In times like this, the things we spend so much time worrying about, being anxious about, all just evaporate." Are we spending too much time on things that will in the end only evaporate? Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate Christmas as a better person. Let's use Advent to focus on that. May I suggest; PSSS; Prayer, Study, Sacrament, and Service. See our website ourladyofguadalupe.org for more suggestions on how to prepare this Advent. 

Our King on the Cross (Lk 23:35-43) (34 OT)

Jesus does not look like a King on the cross. However he has triumphed over sin and death. We can join our sufferings to Christ, and triumph also with Him. 

Can One Prove the Resurrection of the Dead? (Lk 20:27-38) (32 OT)

Jesus has a debate with the Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead? Who wins? Can we prove the things of God by such debates? How do we really find out, and what difference does it make? (Note: The Sadducees don't believe in the Resurrection, therefore.... they are Sad-You-See?

Come Down Zacchaeus; to Encounter Jesus (Lk 19:1-10) (31 OT)

God created the entire Universe; how Magnificent it is, how powerful God is! But his greatest wonder is that he shows us Mercy, we who have sinned. God loves all that comes into being otherwise it would not exist. God loves us where ever we are, but he Loves us too much to leave us there. He wants us to be transformed into holiness. 

Honesty and Humility in Prayer Helps on to be Transformed into Christlikeness (Lk 18:9-14) (30 OT)

Sometimes we pray asking God for things for ourselves and others. Prayer is also meant to transform us into holiness, it sanctifies us, and makes us more Christlike. This homily suggests four ways of praying, all requiring self honesty (usually painful), to surrender to the Transforming Power of God. 

Keep Praying Even When God Seems to Not Answer (Lk 18:1-8) (29 OT)

Sometimes God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. With a little help from Garth Brooks ("Unanswered Prayers"), Fr. Paul tries to explain Jesus's encouragement in today's Gospel passage, to continue to pray even when it seems like our Prayers are not answered. Praying for "Thy Kingdom Come..." is one of our most important tasks Jesus asks us to do. We the Church, unite throughout the world to raise this prayer 24/7.

The Discipline - and Miracle - of Giving Thanks (Lk 17:11-19)

Even on a natural level, being positive, seeing the good, and giving thanks creates for us a better world. But sometimes, on a natural level, we struggle to find things to be grateful for. From a faith perspective, we are part of the Greatest Love Story, the Greatest Miracle that God has done, and wants to do in our hearts through the Death, Resurrection of Jesus, that is still present for us in the Eucharist; Thanksgiving.  Over time, we are healed and find a Joy and Gratitude the world cannot give and the world cannot take away!